Carthage

Spec sheet

Purpose

Carthage is a dependency manager for Cocoa applications that builds dependencies and provides binary frameworks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Platforms

The README gives framework setup instructions for macOS, iOS, tvOS, and watchOS projects.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Free plan

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Support

The documentation invites users who cannot build their framework with Carthage to open an issue for help.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

License

Carthage is distributed under the MIT License, which grants permission to use, copy, modify, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell the software subject to its conditions.Read 11 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com

Apple platforms

The documentation covers building frameworks for macOS, iOS, tvOS, and watchOS.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Binary downloads

Carthage can use prebuilt frameworks attached to GitHub Releases or specified through a binary project definition file.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Build caching

The --cache-builds option can avoid rebuilding a dependency when possible, but it is incompatible with --use-submodules.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Builds dependencies

It builds dependencies and provides binary frameworks while leaving project structure and setup under the developer’s control.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Compatibility limit

Carthage officially supports dynamic frameworks, which are available on iOS 8 or later and any version of OS X.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Dependency resolution

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Dependency sources

Carthage checks out dependency source files into the project folder by default and can optionally use Git submodules.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Framework formats

Carthage can build XCFrameworks and framework bundles, and supports static frameworks as of version 0.30.0.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Framework support

The README says Carthage officially supports dynamic frameworks and also supports static frameworks starting with version 0.30.0.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Install options

The README lists a package installer, Homebrew, MacPorts, and installation from source.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Installation

The project documents installation through a package installer, Homebrew, MacPorts, or building from source.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Lockfile support

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Notable limit

The README says build caching with `--cache-builds` is incompatible with `--use-submodules`.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Package formats

framework,xcframeworkRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Prebuilt frameworks

Carthage can use prebuilt frameworks attached to GitHub Releases or specified through a binary project definition file.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Private registry auth

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Project changes

Carthage does not automatically modify project files or build settings.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Project control

Carthage leaves project structure and setup under the developer’s control and does not automatically modify project files or build settings.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Release format

The project’s release page lists version 0.40.0 as its latest release.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Supported platforms

macOS,iOS,tvOS,watchOS,visionOSRead 22 Sep 2026 · github.com

Swift compatibility

Carthage checks whether downloaded Swift frameworks match the local Swift version and tries building from source when versions differ.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Version compatibility

Carthage checks whether downloaded Swift frameworks match the local Swift version and tries building from source if they do not.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

XCFrameworks

For Xcode 12 and above, the README documents building platform-independent XCFrameworks with `--use-xcframeworks`.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Every Carthage plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Package Managers#27 of 938.3